LUNG CANCER: HOW TO EXTEND THE LIVES OF PATIENTS

Abstract

Lung cancer - one of the highest mortality rate of oncological diseases determining illness in Lithuania and all over the world. According to The World Health Organization, of lung cancer died 1.59 million. people in 2012, accounting for 19 % of all deaths due to onco-logical diseases. In 2011, 17862 people were diagnosed with cancer in Lithuania, of which 9 % were lung cancer cases. It has been shown that the greatest impact on lung cancer devel-opment has smoking.The risk of developing lung cancer increases with the number of cigarettes smoked per day and duration of smoking. Smokers' risk of developing lung cancer increases by 30proc. when compared to non-smokers. Generally, older people are su$ering from lung cancer. Only 2 % of lung cancer cases consists of younger people than 45 years old. It is estimated that the incidence of this disease in the coming decades can be increased by 3 times. Many aspects lead to lung cancer survival: early diagnosis, new lung cancer diagnostic and treatment options, better control of complications and symptomsand the best supportive care.